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I was betrayed by him! What floods of sorrows have my sins occasioned? Oh! learn from me, good people, to beware of vain delights; they promise fair, but leave bitter stings behind them. Alasǃ you think my punishment bitter in this world, and so it is; for I have endured a thousand deaths in one: But now my dying moments are come, I rejoice. Sincere repentance has secured me happiness above: But Oh! where repentance is not given, what seas of torment rack the soul.———O happy dunghill, how do I embrace thee; from thee my pardoned soul shall soar to heaven, though here I leave this filthy carcase.
O that the name of Shore may be an antidote to stop the poisonous and foul contageon of lust for ever.
———o———
A Genuine letter from Jane Shore to King Edward the Fourth, taken from a very ancient History of Jane Shore.
May it please my King and Master,
Vouchsafe to stayne thy royal couch with the poor inklings of thy servant and handmaid, whom nathlesse thou hast most graciously daygned so raise unto thy royal couche, as Abraham did his handmaid Hagar;
